PETER RAMAGE has described the input of Sam Allardyce at St James’ Park as a “breath of fresh air”.

The Toon player will go into United’s friendly against Hartlepool United at Victoria Park raring to go for the new season and keen to impress with fellow defender Steven Taylor set to miss out with an ankle problem.

Ramage has revealed how Allardyce’s methods at United had gone down well in training amongst the players after their boot camp trip to Austria was followed by pre-season training at their Benton HQ on Friday and over the weekend.

Speaking at Players Inc’s new season launch party with fanzine writers, Ramage said today: “The Austria trip was tough, but everybody’s feeling the benefit of it.

“Personally, I’ve never felt better as I do now in any previous pre-season. It’s been tough, but enjoyable as well.

“It’s different from what I’m used to.

“He’s brought a lot of ideas in, and it’s a breath of fresh air at the moment.”

But with a tough test tomorrow night against the newly promoted League One outfit, Ramage is not about to take it too easy.

He added: “Hartlepool’s going to be a tough game, but it’s been a while since Watford and we’re all looking forward to it.

“For us, it’s about match fitness and keeping working hard.

Ramage is likely to start the game as one of two fit senior centre halves, with the other being new United signing David Rozehnal.

And with defenders at the top of Allardyce’s priority list, Ramage says: “It’s been well documented that the manager’s looking to strengthen the back four. I’ve got to try and work my socks off pre-season and make it as difficult as possible for the players coming in.

“Everybody’s being given a chance in pre-season to be in the team for Bolton.

“Everybody’s working hard to try and impress the manager.

“And everybody’s got a fresh purpose, and we all start off with a clean slate. The boss said everybody gets an equal chance pre-season.

“It’s up to us personally to impress him and from my point of view, I just want to prepare properly and work hard this pre-season.”

Last time out at the Vic, a young Toon side ran riot in a 4-0 rout in 2005 and Ramage would love to see a repeat showing.

He added: “The manager’s said it’s all about fitness, but you always want to win as well.”